86R9341 SMT-D
 
  By: Watson S.J.R. No. 45
 
 
 
A JOINT RESOLUTION
  proposing a constitutional amendment allowing the expenditure of
  motor vehicle fuel taxes and registration fees for passenger rail
  and transit.
         BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 7-a, Article VIII, Texas Constitution,
  is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 7-a.  Subject to legislative appropriation, allocation
  and direction, all net revenues remaining after payment of all
  refunds allowed by law and expenses of collection derived from
  motor vehicle registration fees, and all taxes, except gross
  production and ad valorem taxes, on motor fuels and lubricants used
  to propel motor vehicles over public roadways, shall be used for the
  sole purpose of acquiring rights-of-way, constructing,
  maintaining, and policing such public roadways, and for the
  administration of such laws as may be prescribed by the Legislature
  pertaining to the supervision of traffic and safety on such roads;
  and for the purpose of constructing, maintaining, and operating
  passenger rail and transit; [and for the payment of the principal
  and interest on county and road district bonds or warrants voted or
  issued prior to January 2, 1939, and declared eligible prior to
  January 2, 1945, for payment out of the County and Road District
  Highway Fund under existing law;] provided, however, that
  one-fourth (1/4) of such net revenue from the motor fuel tax shall
  be allocated to the Available School Fund; and, provided, however,
  that the net revenue derived by counties from motor vehicle
  registration fees shall never be less than the maximum amounts
  allowed to be retained by each County and the percentage allowed to
  be retained by each County under the laws in effect on January 1,
  1945. Nothing contained herein shall be construed as authorizing
  the pledging of the State's credit for any purpose.
         SECTION 2.  This proposed constitutional amendment shall be
  submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 5, 2019.
  The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the
  proposition: "The constitutional amendment to allow the
  expenditure of motor vehicle fuel taxes and registration fees to
  construct, maintain, and operate passenger rail and transit."